Muscle Injuries

of the Lower Limb

Muscle injuries in the lower limb account for up to 45% of all injuries in both he sports world, with recreational athletes, and fitness enthusiasts. This course will primarily focus on the three main muscles regions: The hamstring complex; Quadriceps & hip flexor injuries; and the Gastroc-Soleus complex.

The hamstring muscle complex, is the most common and frequently injured area in sport. Not only that but it can have a significant impact on both performance and finances. The nature of the injuryand the influence on performance and finances needs to be treated on an individual basis. Yet as an injury it is largely researched as a heterogeneous group. Quadriceps injuries are on the rise; while hip flexor injuries fall into the mirky waters of Hip and Groin pain; while the calf complex is one of the most poorly understood areas in physical activity and sport.

This course will explore the intimate anatomy and function and how this can influence both the injury and the functional rehabilitation. It will explore, the mechanisms, the location, the size and the type of injuries sustained and their impact on the rehabilitation processes and time lines.

The course will then explore the best way to manage immediate injuries coupled with how to manage more complex injuries. Finally we will explore the stages of rehabilitation and what key markers need to be put in place to maximise a successful outcome. We will investigate the benefit of every exercise selection and how they can be used to optimise return to sport and how to reduce the risk of re-injury.

This course was first established in 2006, in different formats, and has been delivered to over 1000 therapists in the UK, as well as internationally. The course covers a collection of published research articles and ideas brought together by the teachings of many leading clinicians we have come into contact with over the years. We have drawn on experiences with track and field over a nine year period, and four Olympic cycles, (Beijing 2008 & London 2012; Rio 2016; Tokyo 2020); through time in professional rugby (Both England and Saracens); working in professional football or consulting for some of the top clubs in the Premier League and Internationally for over 12years; as well as running the Intensive Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) for all Olympic athletes through Sochi 2014; Rio 2016; PyeongChang 2018; and Tokyo 2020. Our aim is to piece together a framework for assessing and treating what is a challenging yet rewarding area - Muscle Injuries of the Lower Limb

Regards

James Moore & Michael Giakoumis